Psych Topic 7CD

What does the theory of technological determinism argue in relation to media?

• That the type of media influences behaviour more than its content
• That behaviour only changes when media content is controversial
• That digital media has no real effect on culture
• That individuals control how media affects them
• That only violent media causes behaviour change

Answer explanation

Technological determinism proposes media technology itself drives behavioural and cultural change, regardless of the specific content.

Which of the following best describes digital media?

• Media projected onto an electronic device
• Any information displayed physically
• Media only accessed through social media
• Print content converted into a PDF
• Media only accessible through mobile apps

Answer explanation

Digital media refers to media formats designed for viewing on screens, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers.

According to the text, which statement best reflects the inescapability of media?

• People are exposed to media even without owning a television
• Avoiding advertisements eliminates media influence
• Only social media creates behavioural change
• Media only affects people who use digital devices
• Print media is no longer relevant in modern society

Answer explanation

The text emphasizes that media is unavoidable in modern life, even without active consumption.

Which of the following best represents a positive influence of media on group behaviour related to social connections?

• Large-scale mobilisation for causes like climate change
• Increased risk of online bullying
• Shallow digital relationships
• Burnout from real-time communication
• False online identities

Answer explanation

Social media enables large communities to unite, exemplified by events like climate strikes.

In the context of social comparison, which of the following scenarios is most likely to lead to high self-esteem?

• Comparing your skill level to beginners on social media
• Comparing your appearance to heavily filtered images
• Constant scrolling through curated influencer content
• Comparing yourself to celebrities
• Reading critical comments from online communities

Answer explanation

Positive social comparison can occur when people feel accomplished relative to beginners, especially in shared hobbies.

What does the term attentional bias refer to in the context of media addiction?

• When attention is automatically drawn to addictive stimuli
• A preference for educational content online
• Choosing to avoid social media during study
• Filtering out irrelevant media
• The ability to focus for long periods online

Answer explanation

Attentional bias is when addictive cues (e.g., Facebook logos) distract attention, even subconsciously.

What finding did the Thomson et al. (2021) study reveal about Facebook users?

• Frequent users didn’t show more attentional bias than infrequent users
• Social media users always experience addiction
• Addictive behaviours increase in all Facebook users
• Facebook notifications cause automatic engagement
• Infrequent users are more distracted by social media

Answer explanation

The study challenged the assumption that all frequent users exhibit attentional bias, suggesting not all engagement is addictive.

Which is a negative impact of information access on group behaviour?

• Spread of misinformation during crises
• Improved emergency response
• Increased health literacy through apps
• Fast access to medical hotlines
• Ability to verify sources quickly

Answer explanation

While fast information access has many benefits, misinformation (e.g., during COVID-19) can negatively affect group behaviour.

What is the most accurate example of a positive individual effect of increased information access?

• Quickly searching symptoms to decide when to seek medical help
• Posting unverified health advice online
• Avoiding all online media due to overload
• Ignoring official sources in favour of peer opinion
• Trusting any viral medical claim on social media

Answer explanation

Digital media allows individuals to take immediate steps toward health, e.g., using reputable sites or hotlines for symptoms.

What does the hikikomori phenomenon in Japan suggest about media use?

• That some people may develop debilitating addictions to digital media
• That social media always leads to social inclusion
• That media addiction doesn’t exist without mental illness
• That young adults prefer face-to-face connections
• That internet use causes academic improvement

Answer explanation

Hikikomori demonstrates that media use can, in some cases, contribute to severe withdrawal from society, independent of prior illness.